Wednesday, June 28, 2017

There's
hardly anything better than a smile from a child. Even the gummy
toothless smile of a toddler brings a certain joy to one's heart! What
you might not know about the teeth hiding below that toothless smile,
though, is that they play a far greater role in the health and
development of your child than you'd possibly imagine.

After all, those little baby teeth, which begin forming in the womb, do
much more than just help your child eat. They also aid in the
development of your child's facial features, and even play a role in the
character of their voice. Baby teeth are special - and that's why we
need to take care of them. Maybe that's why baby teeth have acquired so
many different names over the years. Some call them primary teeth, or
milk teeth, or even reborner teeth. Their proper name, however is
deciduous teeth - which means, "to fall away" - just like the name given
to deciduous trees which lose their leaves each season. Yet, unlike the
leaves on trees, they only fall out once, and they actually live in
your child's mouth for a good number of years before moving on to the
tooth fairy's collection.

Baby Teeth Are Place Holders for Permanent Teeth

The most important reason to care for your child's deciduous teeth is
real estate. The main job of these teeth as a child ages becomes to save
a specific spot in the mouth for the adult teeth that begin to arrive
around age six. If teeth fall out too early due to decay or injury, and
are not bridged by a space maintainer,
there is nothing to prevent the teeth behind from moving forward. This
sets up all sorts of later complications which can, of course, lead to a
need for braces, increased cavities due to overcrowding, and crooked
teeth or a misaligned bite.

Your dentist can suggest a sealant to protect your child's teeth as they
age, and may also recommend regular fluoride treatments or supplements
to strengthen the enamel and resist decay. Whenever possible, drink
fluoridated water and always use fluoridated toothpaste. Also be sure to
protect your child from any oral injuries that might result from sports
activities, and if toddlers stay with a pacifier or finger sucking
beyond the age of two, ask your dentist for advice on curbing these
habits as well.

Your child's early teeth set up their entire mouth for its later look
and feel, and they keep those teeth for many years before they're fully
equipped with a full adult set. Take care of them, and your child - as
well as your wallet - will thank you for it.